Portable clothes washing device

ABSTRACT

A portable clothes washing device having a container for receiving clothes to be washed and liquid for washing, an apertured pressure agitator in the container which may be placed over clothes in the container, a rod attached to the pressure agitator, a cover having a hole through which the rod freely movably extends, and a handle on the end of the rod for manipulating the pressure agitator. Preferably, the container is tapered to its bottom and the pressure agitator is of a diameter less but about the diameter of the bottom of the container.

PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit of priority from Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/485,898, filed Jul. 10, 2003.

This invention relates to a portable clothes washing device, and is moreparticularly related to such a device which may be utilized for washingsmall loads of clothing and the like when traveling or the like whenonly light or convenient quick washing is required.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Persons who are traveling or need a quick change of clothing requiresome quick and convenient means for washing their clothes, preferablyportable and easy to carry, assemble and handle. The present inventionaccommodates such a need with a relatively inexpensive and convenientportable device for effectively washing small loads of garments, fabricsor the like.

The prior art shows this kind of device was needed in the past, forexample, see the following prior patents:

-   -   J. D. Kessel, U.S. Pat. No. 2,134,048, Oct. 25, 1938, for        WASHING MACHINE;    -   C. G. Carlson, U.S. Pat. No. D-131,549, Mar. 10, 1942, for        LAUNDRY WASHER;    -   M. H. Boldt, U.S. Pat. No. D-182,873, May 27, 1958, for PORTABLE        WASHING MACHINE.        However, some of these machines required electric power and        motors to make them operate, and others did not provide adequate        forcing of water or cleaning materials, such as soap or        detergent, through the fabric to be washed. While some machines        have provided agitation, it is believed that agitation alone is        not sufficient to get clothes clean, and that the action of        bubbles and forcing the liquid to cleanse the garment is        desirable and required.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In the present invention, a bucket like container is provided forreceiving the item(s) to be washed, and then a force component orpressure agitator is placed over the clothes. This force component orpressure agitator has a series of radial apertures spaced around itsperiphery, and its center has means for receiving a rod capable oflifting and pushing down on the force component. A closeable coverhaving a central aperture aligned with the rod is placed over thecontainer and the rod extends from the cover. The end of the rod hasmeans for receiving a handle and a handle may be secured to the rod. Thecover may also has a fill aperture or hose permitting water or detergentto be inserted into the container. Preferably, the cover may have aseries of apertures permitting air to enter the container. The containermay also have near its bottom a drain spigot which when opened willallow the container to be emptied of fluid. Carrying handles may also beprovided on the container, making moving it easy and efficient.

In use, the items to be washed are placed into the container anddetergent or soap powder is added, then the force component is placedover the items, preferably with the rod attached to the force component.The cover is threaded over the rod and secured. Thereupon, water orother liquid is filled at least to the level of the force component, andthe handle is installed on the rod. The handle and rod are lifted andpushed down to force water and bubbles through the item to be cleaned.This process may be repeated several times until the washed items areclean and ready for rinsing.

If rinsing is desired, the container may be emptied by turning thespigot and allowing the fluid to drain, whereupon the process isrepeated by lifting and pushing down on the force component, thusthoroughly rinsing the items. A wringer may be associated with thedevice in the event that action is desired. The device is easilyportable and may be moved from place to place and carrying handles maybe provided on the container for that purpose.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the invention to provide a portable clothes washingdevice of the character recited.

Another object is to provide a novel force component and means fordriving it associated with a container for a washing device.

Another object is to provide a novel portable clothes washing devicewhich is expedient in use, easy and economical to fabricate fromconventional materials, and effective to use and to conveniently store.

Another object is to provide a portable manual washing device in whichseveral items may be washed at once.

Another object is to provide a portable manual hand washing device whichpermits cleansing of articles without a person getting wet or abusing aperson's hands with harsh cleansing materials such as detergents orbleach.

These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent as thisdescription, continues, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the portable washing device embodyingthe invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the portable washing device, withthe handle removed from the rod.

FIG. 3 is a top elevational view of the device shown in FIG. 1, with thecover, rod and handle removed.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the force component, rod and handleis disassembled condition.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The portable washing device embodying the present invention ispreferably molded or otherwise formed from plastic material andpreferably comprises a bucket or container 10, which has a cover 11, aspigot 12 near the bottom of the container, a rod 13 extending from thecontainer through a central aperture 14, and a handle 15 on the rod.Preferably, the cover 11 has an aperture 16 for inserting fluid into thecontainer 10, and the cover may also have vent holes 17 for admittingair into and exhausting air from the container. The container may beeasily moved by means of a carrying bale 18 pivotally secured to thecontainer.

A force component or pressure agitator 20 may be installed in thecontainer 10. This force component 20 preferably has arranged through itspaced radially a plurality of apertures 21 for driving water throughfabric-like materials placed within the bucket, in a manner to bedescribed. Arranged centrally of the force component 20 is a threadedhole 22, into which the rod 13 may be securely connected. This rod 13extends through the cover aperture 16 and out of the container 10. Theupper end 23 of the rod 13 is threaded, and a handle 15 iscorrespondingly threaded and adapted for connection to the rod 13.

Clothes or other items to be washed are place into the container 10 withthe cover open, and the force component 20 is set over the items to bewashed. The rod 13 is inserted into central apertured threaded hole 22of the force component. Soap or other cleaning compound may be place inthe container 10. The cover 11 is closed over the container 10, with therod 13 extending therefrom, whereupon the handle is secured to the upperend of the rod 13. Water or other fluid is admitted into the container10 through the water aperture 16 to fill the container. The container 10may also be filled with water when the container is open, before thecover 11 is installed. The rod 13 is then manipulated upwardly anddownwardly compressing the items to be washed and squeezing fluidthrough these items to clean them. The container 10 may be tapered toits bottom and the force component 20 sized smaller than the leastdiameter of the container so that it is easier to move at the top of thecontainer and the water pressure increases as the force component 20approaches the bottom area of the container. As desired, this proceduremay be repeated, after the water is drained from the container throughthe spigot, to rinse or wash or otherwise treat with the container load.The cover 11 may have a double wall to prevent spillage of fluid fromthe container during reciprocal motion of the pressure agitator or forcecomponent 20 during washing.

After washing is completed and the container is drained, the device maybe easily stored for future use. The devices may be easily cleaned afteruse with a abrasive pad and water.

While a preferred embodiment has been disclosed in considerable detail,it should be understood that the invention should not be limited to theexact construction shown and described, as many changes andmodifications can be made in the structure and use of invention withoutdeparting from its spirit or scope.

1. A portable clothes washing device comprising a container having abottom and closed at its sides adapted to receive fabric like materialto be washed and liquid for washing, an apertured pressure agitatoradapted for movable seating in the container over said material to bewashed, a rod attached to said pressure agitator, a cover for saidcontainer adapted to enclose said material and said pressure agitator,said container having an aperture permitting said rod to extend fromsaid container and to freely move said pressure agitator for pressingand agitating clothes in said container, and means on said rod formanipulating said pressure agitator toward and away from said cover andsaid container bottom.
 2. The portable clothes washing device recited inclaim 1, wherein said container is tapered to its bottom.
 3. Theportable clothes washing device recited in claim 1, wherein saidpressure agitator has is dimensioned less than but about the dimensionsof said container bottom.
 4. The portable clothes washing device recitedin claim 3, wherein said pressure agitator and said container are roundin their corresponding planes.
 5. The portable washing device recited inclaim 1, wherein a closeable and openable spigot extends from one of itssaid sides adjacent the bottom of said container for selectivelydraining fluid from said container.
 6. The portable washing devicerecited in claim 1, wherein said cover has an aperture for filing thecontained with liquid.
 7. The portable washing device recited in claim1, wherein said apertured pressure agitator has apertures arrangedaround said rod.
 8. The portable washing device recited in claim 7,wherein said apertures are sizes to permit liquid to be forced throughsaid material by manipulating said handle when said material and liquidare installed in said container and said cover is removably secured oversaid container.
 9. The portable washing device recited in claim 8, saidpressure agitator may be manipulated from adjacent to said cover towardsaid container bottom.
 10. The portable washing device recited in claim9, wherein the pressure of such force is increased as said pressureagitator is manipulated toward said container bottom.
 11. The portablewashing device recited in claim 1, wherein said manipulating meanscomprises a handle which may be grasped by hand.
 12. A portable clotheswashing device comprising a container having a bottom and closed at itssides adapted to receive fabric like material to be washed and liquidfor washing, a pressure agitator adapted for movably seating in thecontainer over said material to be washed and adaptable to bereciprocated in said container., a rod attached to said pressureagitator, a removably secured cover for said container adapted toenclose said material and said pressure agitator, said container havingan aperture permitting said rod to extend from said container and tofreely move said pressure agitator for pressing and agitating clothes insaid container, and means on said rod for manipulating said pressureagitator toward and away from said cover and said container bottom. 13.In the portable clothes washing device recited in claim 12, wherein saidpressure agitator is dimensioned to permit it to be freely reciprocatedin said container for forcing liquid through said material.
 14. In theportable clothes washing device recited in claim 13, wherein saidpressure agitator is apertured to permit fluid under pressure to passthrough it.
 15. In the portable clothes washing device recited in claim12, wherein said cover has vent holes for admitting air into saidcontainer.
 16. In the portable clothes washing device recited in claim12, wherein said cover has entry means for admitting liquid into saidcontainer when said cover is secured on said container.
 17. In theportable clothes washing device recited in claim 14, wherein saidapertures are spaced around the periphery of said pressure agitator. 18.In the portable clothes washing device recited in claim 12, wherein saidrod is removably secured to said pressure agitator.
 19. In the portableclothes washing device recited in claim 12, wherein said manipulatingmeans is removably secured to said rod.
 20. In the portable clotheswashing device recited in claim 12, wherein said cover has a double wallfor closing the container when filled with fluid and said pressureagitator is reciprocated in said container.